Bunny Berigan - I Can't Get Started (Original Back Intro'd by Chuck Cecil)

[TheBernie2201]

Greatness is unmistakable.....thanks for posting my friend.

[sladedude44]

tHIS ALWAYS FLOORS ME,GREAT,GREATAND GREEEEAT!

[2agray]

Ohhhhhh gosh my aunt just LOVED this record and would get lost in another world when you played it. That was her heyday.

[mikezeee722]

For all of the information about this classic recording by Bunny Berigan, as well as all of the information about all of his music and his life, check out the new biography of BB "Mr. Trumpet--the Trials, Tribulations and Triumph of Bunny Berigan" by Michael P. Zirpolo.  To learn more about the book, go to "Mr. Trumpet," and follow the links.

[wisteria888]

The featured artist is not Lester Young. Bunny Berigan sings and plays trumpet solos during "I Can't Get Started."

[nayhem]

One of my deepest regrets is messing up an old cassette recording of this (I believe it was some sort of Time anthology) around the 2:27 mark. Even today, the correct version sounds "off" to me.

[ChristophePhilippe]

The greatest record ever.

[Avalon400]

Can anyone tell me exactly where these two women on roller scates are? (at 1:20)Looks like my mother and aunt in 1937. Can it be? Where is this? Perhaps on the approach to the Brooklin Bridge?

[Nocaro]

@Avalon400 The picture is a stock photo of life in New York City during the Depression Era. If it is your mother and aunt that would be quite a find for you.

[jutescrim]

Great brushwork...who was he?

[vpo2g2]

If you play this for a woman, and she isn't smitten, dump her.

[aswatful]

"To live in the hearts of those who have died, is to never die"- Carl Sagan.

The epitomy of his words so truly expressed in this song and Bunny Berigan.

[tallpaul521]

Thanks for this. This was the sites and sounds of my father in NYC -- he passed two weeks ago at the age of 93. No one should even attempt to play this great tune.

[charyuht]

What is not to like; one of the great renditions of the 20th century.

Thanks for the posting,

Ted

[sladedude44]

The top trumpeter in the all heaven band!

[mckinleyralvarez]

and chuck cecil back-announcing, thank you very much.

[sancisco]

Very very nice...thanks...

[drzarkov39]

The comment at the end of this posting is that this recording is a classic in a "big band era" sense, but not in the usual sense. I totally disagree. The Grammy Awards started in 1958, including a "Best Song Of The Year" category. In 1974, they started a Hall Of Fame category honoring 5 songs recorded before 1958. Bunny Berigan's "I Can't Get Started" won the honor in 1975 as part of the second five. Including classical and christmas recordings, BB's I Can't Get Started is truly a classic.

[jutescrim]

The greatest trumpeter/cornetist since Louis Armstrong, and the greatest Jazz record ever produced

[rossharmonics]

My uncle and aunt were great fans of Berigan. They said often showed up drunk at his gigs. In 1962, right after they played this recording for me, I went out and bought an album of him. I would sometimes play it for friends. He was a great player.

[hughgareth]

You are correct when you say that he (Bunny) was a passable singer. For some reason, this song sounds great when sung by the less accomplished singers, this particular version must rank highly in the worlds greatest.

[honeybee7700]

makes me cry it's so beautiful best version ever recorded of this song.

[hep2jive]

@honeybee7700 oh i know. like billie holidays 'the very thought of you'

[ddkoda]

What a beautiful tone and interpretation from the great Bunny Berigan. He was truly a gifted individual. Thanks too for the photos of a bygone era.

[whenjazzwasking]

Stunning epic performance. Shame the alcohol took him. He could have gave us so much more. R.I.P Bunny

[goback3spaces]

Brilliant. Pure genius. One wonders whether Berrigan's alcoholism contributed to both his genius and his downfall.

[Shabannie]

I love the music. I liked the New York pictures too.

---------Ellen

[recovering16]

Did you put this video together yourself, Nocaro? What an amazing job! And your remarks about "Save the Tiger" and "Chinatown", two of my favorite classic movies, were so true.....

[Nocaro]

LOL, thanks for the comments, and, yes, I put them all together myself...some take a little more time than others, but this one wasn't too hard...check out my video on Henry Mancini's "Don't Call It Love", and watch it all the way through for a little surprise at the end...that one took some time.

[recovering16]

I just watched it. Loved the ending - and I won't give it away.

[Nocaro]

LOL, thanks. It just came to me to do that and I don't know why, but it seemed to fit.

[MrRemo7777]

Bunny's number gets better with age. The only horn that got close to the sound was Al Hirt but then he couldn't sing!

They say what goes around, comes around, let's hope big bands, virtuoso musicians and touch dancing return.

I live one mile from the Vanity Ballroom in Detroit, abandoned and vandalized but I can squint my eyes and see Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Jimmy Dorsey, the ghosts are all that remain.

[MrRemo7777]

@Nocaro I could listen these gems all night! I enjoy a local talent named Dave Bennett.com who plays a clarinet in the style of big bands and of course his idol, Benny Goodman.

Can't wait to get to Heaven and hear them all play together some golden day soon!

[recovering16]

Ever since I saw "Save the Tiger," I've been aware of this song and love it!!